My husband loves Oreo cookies. Not the middle, mind you, just the the cookies outside. Either way, they are still one of his favorites. I think I’ll need to make this Oreo tower for him for a future celebration (birthday, promotion…). Isn’t it amazing?! It would also be fun at an older children’s party (I’d be afraid younger kids would topple it in T minus 2 seconds!). If anyone tries this, let me know how many Oreos you end up using. (I am imagining a shopping cart overflowing with packages of them!)

I was just talking with some friends the other day who shared that the new dessert buzz is all about layer cakes. Upon opening my February 2012 issue of Food & Wine, I’d have to agree. The magazine has an informative spread on DIY layer cakes, offering recipes for cakes, fillings, and frostings. Use your creativity and create a layer cake that is totally unique by mixing and matching the flavors.

I highly recommend picking up the issue but here are a just few of the recipes you can access online.

An alphabet theme is a great theme for a baby shower and I love this alphabet-themed cake, courtesy of Martha Stewart, that could be the centerpiece of the food table. It may not be as easy as 1-2-3, but the look of this A-B-C cake makes it worth the effort!

I am not generally fond of cake toppers — especially those plastic bride and groom standing stiffly together. They’re just not my thing. But these, however, are absolutely adorable. Lil’ Cake Toppers makes custom wooden cake toppers that are mini works of art and would be beautiful on top of any wedding cake. Frankly, I think they’d be adorable just on their own! Either way, they’d make a perfect gift for an engaged couple.

I stumbled upon this gorgeous photo on Everything Fabulous of a petit cake donning a madeleine today. It’s too fabulous not to share. I am a huge fan of madeleines and have been baking coconut madeleines a lot recently. Yum.

My friends Jill and Katarina and I went to the Phillips Collection in DC this weekend to celebrate the gallery’s 90th birthday. The gallery commissioned birthday cakes from eight area pastry chefs to help celebrate the occasion. It’s fascinating to see how each chef interpreted the commission and chose to design the cakes. Check out the “edible artwork” below.

Caren and Ed are two of the loveliest people I’ve had the privilege to get to know through Rex & Regina Events. One need only to have seen the joy, respect, and love their friends exhibited toward them at their wedding celebration to get a small glimpse of how special they are. Caren’s girlfriends went so far as to sing a special musical number in Caren’s honor and Ed’s siblings and parents each gave a very special toast/roast to celebrate him and his new wife.

Caren & Ed’s wedding was not only fun and joyous, but reflective of their personalities and passions, as well. They are the proud parents of two adorable cats, Bago and Goon, who, while not present at the wedding, were amply honored. They are also passionate about cars and their Alfa Romeo Spider provided a sporty backdrop for some of their photos.

The wedding was captured beautifully by Anne & Bill Holland of Holland Photo Arts and came to life courtesy of some amazing vendors, named below.

Congratulations, Caren & Ed!

Caren & Ed

aisle runner flanked by hurricane candles nestled in wheatgrass

vine-wrapped chuppah with white floral accents

the ceremony under the chuppah

wheatgrass and tulip floral centerpiece as guests entered

escort cards were later nestled in the wheatgrass arrangement

special roasted coffee beans with Bago & Goon's photos were set in the wheatgrass at the end of the evening for guests to take home